Heat exchanger



T. TINKER HEAT EXCHANGER Feb. 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9,1948 a k m M m w T INYENTOR.

ATTORN EY'.

Feb. 21, 1950 T. TINKER 2,498,145

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed April 9, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

7 Tomsemrmen BY M - W. 2 ATTORNEY.

T. TINKER HEAT EXCHANGER Feb. 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9,1948 I myENToR. Tau m 1) K21:

ATTORN EY.

Patented Feb. 21, 19 50 Townsend Tinker, Orchard Park, an

to I falo, N.

Ross Heater 6: Manufacturing 00.,

Y., assignor Inc., Buf- Y., a corporation of New York Application April9, 1948, Serial No. 20,169 11 Claims; (01.257-224) This inventionrelates to improvements in heat exchangers of the fixed head type.Heretofore exchangers of this type have included an enclosing casingconsisting of a shell, tube plates at the ends of the shell, theseplates in a type of construction frequently used being formed as partsof hubs," i. e. being integral with cylindrical walls attached to andwhich form continuations of the shell, parallel tubes extending throughthe shell and having their ends secured in the tube plates, and chambersconnected to the tube internal fluid or liquid medium through the tubesin either a straight or U-shaped path, baflie plates arrangedtransversely windows in staggered by the external fluid through theshell in a between the baflles and the tube plates terminately spaced ofthe shell and having or off-set relation whereor liquid medium flowstortuous path, and sleeves and between the end bailles for holding thebames in derelation. In this type of construction the spacing sleevesare usually mounted either on tie rods which are connected to the tubeplates or on selected tubes, the tie rods being more frequentlyemployed.

The baflies, spacing sleeves and the elements upon which the sleeves aremounted, tie rods or tubes, constitute a tube cage." In respect to thetube cage and its relation to other features of the heat exchanger, bothof the prior art forms have a common objection and each has certainindividual objections.

The common objection concerns manufacturing economy. In both forms thespacing sleeve carrying means, tie rods 01 tubes, are first engaged inone of the tube plates, e. g. and as shown, the upper tube plate, thedesignation of this tube plate as the upper tube plate being herein usedfor convenient brevity. with the spacing sleeve carrying means securedto the upper tube plate the tube cage is built up step by step, firstplacing a series of spacing sleeves, then a bailie, then another seriesof spacing sleeves, then another baille, and so on until the tube cagehas been completed.

The objection to this practice is that the tube plates are deliveredfrom a foundry and the tube cage cannot be constructed until the tubeplates are received, following which the manufacture involves both thebuilding of the tube cage, and its securement tothe upper tube plate.This practice is uneconomical in that it does not permit the tube cagesto be asembled until the plates have been received.

The individual objections in connection with plates and providing forthe flow of the the form in which the tie rods are used are concernedwith manufacture and are: (1') the added manufacturing expense ofdrilling recesses in the upper tube plate in which the ends of the tierods are secured, and threading these recesses for cooperation with thethreaded ends of the tie rods, (2) the fact that the tie rods arelocated so close to the inner circumferential face of the casing that noroom is permitted for the use of the ordinary drilling chuck and speciallong-shanked drilling and threading tools are required, the shanks byreason of their length being liable to breakage; and (3) where the tubeplates are formed as parts of the hub due to the extent of thecylindrical part of the hub the workman, in drilling the recesses in theupper tube plate for the securement of the tie rods, has to do his workvirtually in the dark, that is to say in a dark corner of the hub and,therefore, requires a spot light in orderto locate and center thedrilling and threading tools and to maintain their alinement during thedrilling and threading operations.

The individual objection in connection with the form in which selectedtubes are used to support the spacing sleeves is concerned withmaintenance and is: when the tubes which carry the spacing sleevesbecome corroded, as they inevitably will in the majority of cases, theycannot be removed for replacement purposes without the collapse of thebaille system. The result is that these'particular tubes cannot beremoved without a complete rebuilding of the tube cage as consisting ofthe baflle plates, the spacing sleeves and the tubes upon which thesleeves are mounted. This is true even though but one of the tubes.

which carries the spacing sleeves may require replacement due tocorrosion. 1

- The invention overcomes the foregoing objections and is directed toimprovements in the tube cage, proposing novel features of constructionand relation whereby the tube cage may be initially constructed as astructurally independent, economically produced, intege that is to sayan integer independent of the tube plates and not dependent on either ofthem for support, may be assembled as an integer in the course of themanufacture of the heat exchanger, and, as assembled, is supported bythe shell but without attachment to it.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a accordance with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a cross section on line 33 of Figure 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a detailed cross section, to a somewhat enlarged scale, onthe line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tube cage in accordance with theinvention and as an independently constructed integer, ready forassembly in a heat exchanger.

Figure 6 is a partial central longitudinal section of a heat exchangerequipped with a tube cage of modified construction.

Figure 7 is a cross section on the line 'I--| of Figure 6.

Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to Figures 6 and 7 and showing anothermodified construction of the tube cage unit.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure '7 and showing still anothermodification of the tube cage unit.

The improvements are equally applicable to fixed head heat exchangersmounted vertically or horizontally and wherein the internal fluid orliquid medium may flow in a single pass or in two or more passes.

The improvements are also equally applicable to constructions whichutilize plain tube plates or to constructions wherein the tube platesare parts of hubs. The terminology "tube plate element" contemplateseither form.

The tube plate element to which the shell is attached overhangs theupper end of the shell, thereby to delimit an internal annular recess9a. 'In the construction shown the tube plate elements are formed withinwardly presented annular rabbeted shoulders 8 and 9. The upper andlower tube plates are designated as 4 and 5 and, in the constructionswherein they form parts of hubs they are integral with cylindrical walls6 and I respectively. In the hub form of construction the shoulders 8and 9 are formed internally adjacent the open ends of the hubs.

The end portions of the shell [project in close fitting relation intothe cylindrical skirts from which the shoulders 8 and 9 extend and arepositively secured to the tube plate elements, preferably by annularexternal welds Hl. In the hub form of construction the shell I is, ofcourse,

directly connected to the walls 6 and I and these walls are in alinementwith the shell and are functional continuations of the shell.

In the fixed head type of heat exchanger parallel tubes l I, provided inany suitable number and arrangement in accordance with standardpractice, extend between the plates 4 and 5 and their end portionsextend through openings in these plates and are secured in the usualmanner. The tubes H are employed in connection with a system of baffleplates l2 arranged transversely of the casing, these plates being ofusual form aniarrangement in that they are in determinately spacedrelation, have openings i3 through which the tubes extend, and areshaped to provide windows M which in adjacent plates are in staggered oroffset relation. The windows l4 delimit ,of anysuitable form to providethe windows ll.

As shown, and in accordance with common practice, they have curved edgeswhich follow the out- 4 line of a circle and, beyond the diameter of thecircle, have a transverse straight edge, the plates thereby being majorfractions of discs in order to provide the spaces which constitute the 5windows i 4.

The tube plates 5 and 4 form parts of fixed heads which are respectivelycompleted by casings l1 and 23. The casing [1, in accordance with usualpractice, is attached to the lower face of 10 the lower tube plate 5 andis provided with a central diametrical partition [8 which delimits aninlet chamber is having an inlet opening 20 and an outlet chamber 2|having an outlet opening 22. The casing 23, in accordance with usualpractice, is attached to the upper face of the upper tube plate 4 andprovides a reverse flow chamber 24. The internal fluid or liquid mediumenters the heat exchanger through the inlet and flows upward through thetubes II which 20 communicate with the inlet chamber ii) to the chamber23 where its direction of flow is reversed, the medium then flowingdownward through the remaining tubes, which are in communication withthe outlet chamber 2 I, and escaping through 25 the outlet opening 22.

The determinately spaced relation of the baffle plates I2 is maintainedby spacing sleeves 25 which are mounted on tie rods 26, the plates I2having openings adjacent their perimeters through which the tie rodsextend. At least four tie rods are preferably employed, three of whichpass through each of the plates l2.

According to the invention the baiiie plates, tie

. ,rods and spacing sleeves are independently as-' sembled as anindependent integer having at one 40 integer, is incorporated in theheat exchanger construction and is rigidly supported by the shell bymeans of an element which forms a part of the integer and for itssupporting function has a close fit within the recess 9a, the supportingelement as fitted in the recess So being securely maintained in clampedrelation by and between the 5 riphery of the plate.

upper end of the shell and the adjacent tube plate element.

In the construction preferred, and shown in Figures 1 to 5, a tube cagesupporting ring 21 is arranged above and in adjoining relation to theuppermost plate 12 and has an outside diameter greater than the diameterof this plate [2 whereby it projects to a suitable extent beyond the pe-The ring 21 provides the supporting part for the tube cage integer andis formed with co-planar lugs 28 which project radially inward and areseverally provided with openings through which the tie rods 26 extend.One of the spacing sleeves 25 located immediately below the uppermostbafiie plate [2 will be in alinement with the window It and is utilizedto provide additional support for the ring 21. Manufacturing economyrequires that the spacing 5 sleeves 25 be cut to uniform lengths inaccordance with their positions in the heat exchanger. Therefore, awasher 29 of the same thickness as the uppermost bathe plate is fittedbetween such sleeve and the adjacent lug 2B in order to take up :u thespace between the sleeve and the lug.

The tie rods 26 are held against downward displacement relatively to thering 21 by any suitable mechanical expedient, for example by providingthem with oppositely projecting lugs 30 which may be formed by acrimping tool and which are -3l which engage lower edges of the sleeves250.

By means of the lugs 33 and 3| the tie rods are held againstdisplacement in either direction relatively to the battle plates and arigid structurally independent tube cage unit is provided,- this unitbeing shown in Figure 5, and consisting of the 'baille plates I2, thering 21, the sleevesii and 25a and the tie rods 26. In this unit theoutside diameter of the ring 21 is less than the inside diameter of thecylindrical upper hub wall 6 below the shoulder 8 to an extent merelysufllcient to enable the ring to fit closely within the wall It andagainst the shoulder 8. The diameters of the baiiie plates I2 similarlyconform to the inside diameter of the shell I. The ring 21 projects be-6 replacement this can be readiy and quickly eti'ected by removing theheads I1, and 23, disconnecting the ends of the tubes irom the tubeplates, pulling the tubes from the heat exchanger,

inserting new tubes, and securing their ends to the tube plates. In suchrenewal of the tubes the tube cage remains as a unit in its assembledre-. lation in the heat exchanger and no operation involving any part ofthe tubecage is required. Thereby the improvements greatlyfacilitateandrenders more economical the tube renewal operation.

In the modified construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 the independenttube cage supporting ring 21, as such, is not employed and its functionis served by the uppermost bailie plate, here designated 32. For thispurpose the battle plate 32 is formed with a "continuous marginalannulus 33 of suitably greater outside diameter than the inside diameterof the shell, the outside diameter of the annulus 33 corresponding tothe outside diameter of the ring 21 of the previous embodiyond theupermost baille plate I2 to an extent equal to the thicknessoi the shellI.

The unit thus constructed and characterized is ready for assembly, as aunit, in the course of the assembly of the heat exchanger. The heatexchanger assembly operation is as follows: The

tube cage unit is fitted to the upper hub 2 by inserting the ring 21into the cylindricaltop wall 6 and against the annular shoulder 8. Thetube cage is thereupon turned about its axial center until thetubeopenings in the bailie plates aline with the tube openings in the plate4. Two or three tubes, as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 5, arethen inserted through alining openings in the baifie plates and thetubeplate 4 and their uper ends are secured to the tube plate, thesetubes serving to key the tube cage to the tube plate and thereby to holdthe tube cage against displacement about its axial center. The shell I'is thereupon fitted to the hub 2 by inserting its upper portion intothe cylindrical wall 6 to a position in which its upper end engages Iand supported by the arrangement of the ring 21 between the shoulder 8and the'uppe r end of the shell I. The remaining tubes are then insertedthrough the openings in the baflie plates and the tube plate 4 and theirupper ends are secured to the tube plate. With the assembly at thisstage the lower hub is then fitted upon the shell, with the openings inthe lower tube plate 5 taking over the lower end portions of the tubes.The lower hub is then secured to the shell by the weld I and the ends ofthe tubes are secured to the lower tube plate. The heads I1 and 23 arethen secured to the respective tube plates and 4. Spacing sleeves arenot required between the baflles at the ends of the series and theadjacent tube plates.

In the event any or the tubes II should require ment. The crimped lugs33 of the'tie rods directly engage the upper face or the annulus 33 andthe annulus, similarly to the ring 21, provides the part by which thetube cage unit is supported bythe shell l,'the annulus being clampedbetween the upper end of the shell I and the shoulder 8. v

In the modified construction shown in Figures 8 and 9 the independenttube cage supporting ring 21, as such, is not employed and-the provisionfor the support of the tube cage .unlt by the shell I is afiorded by thetie rods. For this purpose the projecting upper end portions or the tierods are formed with disc-shaped heads 34 which may be produced by anupsetting operation. The heads 34 project under the shoulder 8 ofthecylindrical wall 6 and are clamped against the shoulder by the upper endoi'the shell I, the heads 34 thereby supporting the tube cage unit inthe heat exchanger. Three of .the heads 34 also engage the uppermostbaflie plate to prevent downward displacement of the tie rods.

The supporting ring 21, instead of being arranged in adjoining relationto the uppermost baflie plate I2, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, may bespacedfrom it to a practically permissible extent. This modification isshown in Figure 10, the ring 21 being supported in spacedrelation'relatively to the uppermost baille plate I2 by additionalspacing sleeves 25. In other respects themodified construction shown inFigure conforms to the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5.

. includes a tube plate element and a shell attached to the tube plateelement and wherein the tube plate element overhangs the upper end ofthe shell, thereby in combination with the shell to delimit an internalannular recess, and in assembled relation in such heat exchanger, anindependently constructed unitary tube cage comprising a series ofdeterminately spaced baffle plates having tube openings and formed topro-' them against axial displacement in one direction relatively to thebaflle plates, means at the opposite corresponding ends of the tie rodsto hold them against axial displacement in the opposite directionrelatively to the bailie plates and to provide support for the hemeplates, and supporting means structurally independent of the tube plateelement, rigidly fixed at one end of the unit, projecting radiallyoutward relatively to the baflie plates and closely'and freely fittingwithin the annular recess, the supporting means thereby being incooperation in a clamped relation with the tube plate element and theadjacent end of the shell.

2. A heat exchanger tube cage as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting means consists of an annular element.

3. A heat exchanger tube cage as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting means consists of a ring held in fixed relation to theadjacent end baffle plate of the series, the ring projecting to asuitable extent outward beyond the plate and being formed with co-planarlugs projecting radially inward and severally provided with openingsthrough which the tie rods extend.

4. A heat exchanger tube cage as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting means consists of a ring fixed in adjoining relation againstan end baflie plate of the series, the ring projecting to a suitableextent outward beyond the plate and being formed with co-planar lugsprojecting radially inward and severally provided with. opening throughwhich the tie rods extend. Y

5. A heat exchanger tube cage as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting means consists of a ring fixed in adjoining relation againstan end baille plate of the series, the ring projecting to a suitableextent outward beyond the plate and beingformed with co-planar lugsprojecting radially inward and severally provided with openings throughwhich the tie rods extend and wherein a spacing sleeve in alinement withthe window of the baflie plate which the ring adjoins is interposedbetween the lug alining with such window and the succeeding bailleplate.

6. A heat exchanger tube cage as set forth in claim 1 wherein the meansat the opposite corresponding ends of the tie rods includes sleevesmounted upon the tie rods and having supporting engagement with theadjacent bame plates.

7. In a heat exchanger, the combination with a casing including an endhub formed with a tube plate and a cylindrical wall provided near itsopen end with an internal annular rabbeted shoulder and a shell havingan end portion fitting within such cylindrical wall, the shell beingattached to the wall, of an independently constructed unitary tube cagecomprising a series of determinately spaced baffle plates having tubeopenings and formed to provide circulation windows, the baifle platesbeing arranged whereby the windows provided by adjacent plates are instaggered or oifset relation, thereby to provide a tortuous path offlow, spacing sleeves between the baiile' plates to maintain them indeterminately spaced relation, tie rods upon which the spacing sleevesare mounted, the baille plates have openings adjacent their perimetersthrough which the tie rods pass, means at corresponding ends of the tierods to hold them against axial displacement in one direction relativelyto the baiiie plates,

means at the opposite corresponding ends of the tie rods tohold themagainst axial displacement in the opposite direction relatively to thebanlev plates and to provide support for the bame plates, and supportingmeans rigidly fixed at one end of the unit and projecting radiallyoutward relatively to the bailie plates, the supporting means beingconfined against the annular shoulder by the adjacent end of the shell.

8. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 'l vided with openings throughwhich the tie rods extend.

10. A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 7 wherein the supportingmeans consists of a ring fixed in adjoining relation against an endbaflie plate of the series and formed with co-planar lugs projectingradially inward and severally provided with openings through which thetie rods extend.

11. For use as a part of a heat exchanger which includes a tube plateelement and a shell attached to the tube plate element and wherein thetube plate element overhangs the upper end of the shell, thereby incombination with the shell to delimit an internal annular recess, and inassembled relation in such heat exchanger, an independently constructedunitary tube cage comprising a series of determinately spaced baffleplates having tube openings and formed to provide circulation windows,the baiile plates being arranged whereby the windows provided byadjacent plates are in staggered or offset relation, thereby to providea tortuous path of flow, spacing sleeves between the baille' plates tomaintain them in determinately spaced relation, tie rods upon which thespacing sleeves are mounted, the baffle plates having openings adjacenttheir perimeters through which the tie rods pass, heads upon the tierods at corresponding ends thereof, the heads engaging the adjacentbaille plate to prevent axial displacement of the tie rods in onedirection relatively to the bame plates, and means at the oppositecorresponding ends of the tie rods to hold them against axialdisplacement in the opposite direction relatively to the baiile platesand to provide support 'for theibaiile plates, the heads projectingradially outward beyond the adjacent baifle plate and the projectingportions of the heads closely and freely fitting within the annularrecess, the heads thereby being in cooperation in a clamped relationwith the tube plate element and the adjacent end of the shell, 'andproviding supporting means for the unit rigidly secured at one endthereof.

. TOWNSEND TINKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name v Date 898,363 Holdsworth Sept. 8,1908 2,152,266 McNeal Mar. 28, 1939 2,181,704 McNeal Nov. 28, 1939

